What is the formula to calculate the surface area of a pyramid?

The surface area of a pyramid can be calculated using the formula that incorporates both the lateral area and the area of the base. The lateral area represents the sum of the areas of the triangular faces that converge at the apex of the pyramid, while the base area is the area of the polygon at the bottom of the pyramid.

The correct formula for the surface area of a pyramid is expressed as the lateral area plus the area of the base. This means that to find the total surface area, you add the area of the base (which can vary depending on the shape of the base, such as a square, triangle, etc.) to the lateral area formed by the sides of the pyramid.

In this case, the option representing the surface area as Laura Area plus Base Area accurately reflects this relationship. The other formulations do not aptly describe the components needed to calculate the total surface area correctly, demonstrating that surface area consists of both the base and lateral areas combined.